Groff seeks to retain seat

The April 21 Eagle-Gazette stated 55 percent of our community commutes out of Fairfield County each workday, a number that has grown over the past several years. Factor out those who are retired or not employed and the number climbs to more than 75 percent of our working residents commuting outside Fairfield County.

Lancaster's economy was on a downward spiral before the great recession. We have had a declining tax base for far too long. We, as a community, can no longer afford the policies and practices of the current administration.

Did you know the current administration spends more on trimming trees than on economic development? We need a full-time economic development director. We need jobs here, people working here, taxes paid here - not to Columbus.

Imagine if the trend were reversed and only 40 percent or less were commuting. The growth in our tax base would alleviate the need for new or increased taxes; our streets would be paved, we would have a more vibrant community.

Did you know that 100 percent of homeless shelters for Fairfield County are in Lancaster? What's wrong with that, you may ask. Unless our social services are in balance with those businesses that contribute to our tax base, we cannot sustain these programs. That's why it is so critical that we improve our economic base and create better job opportunities for our commuters here.